Early the next morning.
Tang San rose early, breathing in the fresh purple air, quietly packing his belongings before setting out to find Yu Xiaogang. Yu Xiaogang planned to take him to the Soul Hunting Forest to obtain his first soul ring.
After Tang San left the dormitory, Xiaotian slowly woke, first glancing toward the door, then at Xiao Wu, still asleep beside him.
Clap, clap, clap!
Xiaotian gently tapped Xiao Wu's soft cheek, unable to resist giving it two playful pinches and a rub.
"Hurry up! The sun's shining right on your butt! Didn't you say you'd train hard? A day's plan starts in the morning—get up now! It's time to eat!"
Rubbing her eyes groggily, Xiao Wu mumbled, "Ah? Time to eat? Is it that late already?"
Hearing food mentioned, her little ears twitched in interest.
Xiaotian smiled helplessly. She'd claimed she'd wake earlier than him to practice, yet here she was, still asleep.
Looking at the rising sun outside, Xiaotian waited while Xiao Wu finally got up reluctantly, washed quickly, and followed him outside.
"Hmm? Why haven't I heard the system warning today?"
"System, is Tang Hao nearby?"
[Ding! Host, the God of Killing Tang Hao is not around.]
A faint smile curled at Xiaotian's lips. Though his mental strength was low, he could rely on the sand sculpture system to detect Tang Hao's presence.
Tang Hao likely trailed Tang San and Yu Xiaogang from afar, secretly protecting Tang San.
In the original story, even if Tang San didn't reveal his concealed weapon, Tang Hao would come to his rescue.
At first, Xiaotian had wondered whether Tang Hao ignored Tang San and instead monitored Xiao Wu near the academy.
But now, it seemed normal—Xiao Wu didn't know her identity as a hundred-thousand-year soul beast was uncovered. Having enrolled, she wouldn't run away.
Tang San's stubborn master, Yu Xiaogang, had no combat skills himself and insisted on taking Tang San alone to the Soul Hunting Forest to hunt soul beasts—a death wish.
Xiaotian found it amusing to recall how Yu Xiaogang had turned the Golden Holy Dragon cub into a farting pig. How could such a person be a theoretical master?
Generally, soul masters lacking strong theory and weak martial souls have low innate soul power. To improve, they focus on soul beasts near their limits that they can handle as spirit rings.
But not everyone had Yu Xiaogang's background. It was a miracle he climbed from half-in-nateness to level twenty-nine.
Since Tang Hao followed the Soul Hunting Forest trip to protect them, Xiaotian could now seek his own soul ring.
Although soul power can be built without absorbing rings for now, rings boost attributes and speed cultivation.
Only by absorbing rings can total soul power increase—essential for Xiaotian, who frequently depletes soul power using sword techniques.
Decision made: he'd go to a nearby Soul Hunting Forest early tomorrow to get his first soul ring!
During the previous hour, Xiaotian practiced sword swings and moves as usual. Then he laid his iron sword aside and summoned his martial spirit, Sword Fifteen.
Xiao Wu watched, puzzled by what he planned.
"Fifteen, today we try something new—flying with a sword! Can you use your own strength to help me fly?"
Xiaotian made a bold request.
Bangdang~~
Sword Fifteen's body suddenly softened, the blade's tip swaying left and right energetically toward Xiaotian.
Sword Fifteen: I can't do it!
Xiao Wu spoke up, "Xiaotian, I wanted to ask—your martial soul seems really spiritful, but this request is much. Fifteen is just a sword. For it to carry you, you need soul power support."
Xiaotian smiled. "My martial soul is special, with a kind of intelligence. I call it a wisdom martial soul—or a sword spirit. But, are you sure my request is too much?"
He eyed the limp Sword Fifteen and rolled his eyes.
"Fifteen, are you sure you don't want to try? Look at Xiao Wu here. Her body maybe not perfect, but her face is lovely, with baby fat. How about you fly her around for a bit?"
Ding!
Suddenly, the once-limp Sword Fifteen recovered its form and leapt from Xiaotian's hand toward Xiao Wu.
Xiaotian was speechless. Shiwu (Sword Fifteen) really was a double standard! His attitude perked up instantly for beautiful women but not for his master.
Xiao Wu hesitated, a little scared. Even if Fifteen could fly with her, what if she fell? She'd have to visit her mother!
Xiaotian glanced at Sword Fifteen and waved. "Try standing on it, but stay just a few centimeters above the ground for a low-altitude ride."
Xiao Wu relaxed hearing Xiaotian wasn't angry. Though Shiwu was "reluctant," it was willing to give her a ride but not Xiaotian. That felt odd—wasn't a martial spirit supposed to be fully controlled?
She didn't know if Xiaotian had the slightest aversion toward her, Shiwu would never have allowed this. Shiwu's change of heart came from something in Xiaotian's words.
Carefully, Xiao Wu stepped onto Shiwu's body, struggling to maintain balance, while the sword slowly twirled with her on the lawn.
Xiaotian felt his soul power consumption surge; sure enough, it was his, not Fifteen's power, being drained.
Xiao Wu only experienced it briefly but felt a little dizzy.
Under Xiaotian's control, Fifteen slowly returned beneath him.
Now it was his turn.
He pressed his right index and middle fingers together—a wave of sword intent appeared, focusing on Fifteen. The sword sharpened and was wrapped in a faint sword aura.
Xiaotian planned to use sword intent to reduce soul power consumption. Maybe unrealistic, but in his past life, flying swords were always shrouded in a subtle aura on dramas and novels. That probably made flying swords look cool.
P.S. This chapter shows Xiaotian's ongoing exploration of sword spirit abilities, his careful cultivation of new techniques, and the deepening bond with Sword Fifteen. It highlights the balance of soul power and control and hints at the exciting advances to come in his martial path.
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